Chapter 16
“What?” Ivy exclaimed, her mouth dropping open
Her face turned pale, but Silas wasn’t buying it. “You heard me right,” he said, trying to conceal the mixture of disappointment and hurt beneath his anger. “Don’t act clueless.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I didn’t invite Mason to Aunt May’s, I went there-
“Stop lying!” Silas snapped, and he saw her flinch. “Just tell the truth.”
She bit her lip and looked away, as if she was gathering her thoughts. “I didn’t invite Mason. He came on his own,” she finally said.
Silas could feel the anger bubbling, still he kept it away from his voice. “So how did he know to find you there?”
“I don’t know,” she shrugged. “He knows I’ve been staying at Aunt May’s house,”
Silas leaned back in the chair, appraising Ivy as she brushed a strand of hair from her face. He wasn’t buying it, he wasn’t buying that Mason just showed up unexpectedly–uninvited–at her aunt’s door.
He was starting to think maybe Thomas was right. Maybe Ivy isn’t who she said she was. And he had to admit, he was bothered by that.
After he had called Thomas to secure a land for Ivy, Thomas had called again, mentioning being dropped from another project. Thomas hadn’t said much, but when Bud called to tell him Mason was at May’s house, Silas couldn’t help but conclude
“I don’t believe you,” Silas hissed. “You expect me to believe you went to your aunt’s house and Mason just happened to find you there?”
“That’s exactly what happened,” Ivy replied coolly..
Her nonchalant tone snapped something in him, and he found his anger spilling out. “Before you signed this contract, you said you weren’t seeing Mason. You said you were done with him!”
“I was, and I still am!” she snapped, her mouth controting. “I literally married you because of that, didn’t I? Isn’t that enough proof?”
“Yet you entertained his presence! Bud said Mason was there for over thirty minutes, while he was thrown out in less than thirty seconds. Explain that!” Silas exclaimed, firing more than he intended to.
Ivy’s eyes flashed with anger. “Since Bud knows everything, let him finish the story! It was a coincidence, and I expected you to trust me when I said so.”
“Trust you? You lied to me!”
“About what?” Ivy shot back.
“About your bloody Mason. What’s your plan? Did you marry me just to keep seeing him?” Silas asked. He knew she would take offense to the question but he had to ask. He was hurting and he didn’t know why.
Ivy’s face turned pale. “I accepted your stupid contract to prove I wasn’t with Mason. And now you throw this at me? What more do you
“I don’t know,” Silas admitted, his voice softening. “Explain why Thomas keeps paying the price for this.”
“I had no idea! I didn’t plan anything,” Ivy yelled.
Her anger made him less angry, but he was still hurt and he rode on that emotion. “So what made you change your mind?”
She blinked. “What?”
“Why did you change your mind about the public announcement? When I asked you this morning, you were certain you didn’t know when, and all of a sudden you went to your aunt’s house and changed your mind. I bet you planned all of it with Mason, right?”
Her chest rose and fell as she glared at him, offended and hurt. Silas’s gaze lingered on her heaving chest, and desire sparked within him. His arousal grew as his eyes lingered
Ivy caught his stare and flushed. “If after I’ve signed your contract, you still think I am with Mason, then I don’t need to be here,” the said, standing abruptly.
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10:16 AM c
Chapter 16
Silas froze, his anger switching to panic. “Where are you going?” he demanded.
“Away from you and your judgement!” she snapped, heading to the door.
“Dinner hasn’t been served,” he called after her, softening his tone. “And we still have things to discuss.
Ivy paused, then turned back reluctantly. Relief washed over him as she returned to her seat, her expression set in defiance.
Silas sighed, looking at her stubborn face. A part of him wanted to reach out and kiss her–kiss the anger out of her lips; another part wanted to stay far away from her until he could figure out what her deal was.
He looked away, just as the waiter approached them.
“Good evening ma’am. Good evening sir,” the waiter greeted. “I’m Henry, your waiter for the evening. Let’s start with some white wine while I take your order,” he smiled as he poured wine into their glasses.
“Thank you. We’ll call you when we’re ready.” Silas said, dismissing him.
Ivy pushed her glass away, folding her arms. “What else do you want to talk about?”
Silas sighed, slightly worried he might have pushed a button. “The public announcement,” he said, reaching out for his glass of wine. *I’ve spoken to my team, and we’ve come to a series of conclusions,” he paused, and when he saw he had her full attention, he continued. “We’ll need a public wedding, with reporters present, followed by a honeymoon, private dinner dates, and-
“I’m not going on a honeymoon with you,” Ivy cut in sharply.
Silas sighed again. He knew she was going to object to that. “It’s for publicity. Nothing more.”
“I already told you I don’t want intimacy. How hard is that to understand?” Ivy’s tone tinged with annoyance.
“It doesn’t have to be intimate,” Silas replied firmly, already tired of their argument. “It’s just for appearance. You signed that arrangement, remember?”
“And the new conditions I requested still haven’t been added,” she said, her green eyes glinting with defiance.
Silas sipped his wine. “It’s at home. I already had the new contract delivered.”
He had pushed Wade to send the new contract, just as he’d already taken care of her photography business with Thomas.
“So, have you decided where you’d like to establish your photography company?”
Ivy’s face shone with surprise.
“I mean, if you’re keeping your side of the deal, it’s only fair I do the same,” Silas added.
Ivy reached for her drink and took a sip. “I haven’t decided yet. I just want somewhere lively, with lots of activities.”
“Oakland, maybe? or San Jose?” Silas suggested.
She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
There was a long silence before Silas spoke again. This was supposed to be our first night together. Something enjoyable.”
“Is that why you brought me back here?” Ivy’s expression darkened. “To relive our first night?”
Silas was surprised she remembered Chester Hotel, but he was more surprised she didn’t like the gesture. “No, I brought you here so we can enjoy ourselves. Besides, I use this hotel all the time.”
She let out a bitter laugh. “I don’t understand the games you play, Silas.”
“What game?” he asked, genuinely puzzled.
“You brought me here to seduce me, didn’t you?”
you?” Her voice was laced with disdain. “You think this would somehow convince me?”
“What? Ivy. I never even thought about that. I just-
“You know what?” Ivy stood up, shaking her head. “Let’s not pretend we’re some happy couples enjoying a nice romantic dinner. We’re strangers. Silas. So let’s act like it!”
Chapter 16
With that, she stormed out
AD
